Since 1949, a mysterious figure has visited Edgar Allan Poe's gravesite on the anniversary of the poet's birth, January 19th.

He showed up again today.


Mystery visitor makes 58th appearance at Poe's grave
By KASEY JONES, The Associated Press
Jan 19, 2007 3:25 AM (56 mins ago)
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BALTIMORE - A mystery visitor made his 58th straight visit to Edgar Allan Poe's grave Friday morning, viewed by the largest crowd of watchers ever, including one apparent wannabe, the most faithful viewer of the event said.


Jeff Jerome, curator of the Poe House and Museum, counted 55 people who converged on the cemetery that holds the writer's gravesite near downtown this frosty morning, and was fearful that the Poe Toaster who be put off by the crowd.

"If I were the Poe toaster, and I saw and heard that crowd, I wouldn't show up," Jerome said, adding that he hoped that the wintry mix that hit south of Baltimore would discourage gawkers.

But, as he has done in the past on Poe's birthday, the visitor arrived, and the crowd at first did not realize who he was, Jerome said. When it became clear that the Poe Toaster had arrived, and placed a half-empty bottle of cognac and three red roses on Poe's grave, the crowd rushed to one entrance to get a glimpse.

The mystery visitor used the opportunity to slip out another entrance, Jerome said.

The crowd this year was large, but well behaved, Jerome said, unlike last year, when unruly Poe toaster watchers tried to interfere with the mystery visitor's tribute.

Because of last year's unpleasantness, Jerome said, he will not give further details about the visitor - such what time he arrived or what he was wearing.

However, earlier in the morning, there was a man dressed as the Poe toaster had in the past, said Jerome, who has seen the mysterious visitor every Jan. 19 since 1976. Many in the crowd talked with the Poe toaster wannabe, as Jerome described him.

Starting in 1949, a frail figure made the visit to Poe's grave. In 1993 the original visitor left a cryptic note saying, "The torch will be passed." A later note said the man, who apparently died in 1998, had handed the tradition on to his sons.

Poe, who wrote poems and horror stories such as "The Raven" and "The Telltale Heart," was born in Boston and raised in Richmond, Va. He died Oct. 7, 1849 in Baltimore at the age of 40 after collapsing in a tavern.

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I, for one, am happy that the tradition continues, and that the crowds this year behaved themselves.

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

I love this. A piece of high romanticism of which Poe himself would be proud.

So sweet

That's real cool. Thanks for sharing